DE9403154U1 - Bio-regenerative air filter - Google Patents

Description

Alliance Research and Manufacturing Corporation, 306 Hancock

Drive, Taylorsville, MS 39168

Bio-regenerative air filter
10

The invention relates to the cleaning and filtering of air in indoor spaces. In a narrower sense, the invention relates to the reduction of harmful chemicals to a significantly reduced level, including the elimination of cigarette smoke, pollen and undesirable odors. In particular, the invention relates to a self-cleaning air filter system that uses a bio-regenerative principle in which the filter medium does not need to be replaced.

The typical mechanical air filtration systems used to filter the air present in indoor spaces move the air through a filter media. Usually, the media consists of a mineral or electrostatic filter or other absorbent organic or inorganic fiber mat. However, it is typical for these filter assemblies to either need to be replaced, cleaned or disassembled after some period of use.

The present invention is directed to a system in which costly filter replacement, as in conventional air filter systems, is not required. The present invention provides an improved means for utilizing a recently developed concept in an effectively improved manner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an effective, economically and ecologically desirable filter arrangement in which activated carbon and other filter media belonging to the state of the art are combined with living plants and microorganisms in order to reduce or eliminate odors and contaminants in the air.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a filter in which the air to be filtered can flow both downwards and upwards through the filter medium. It is a further object of the invention to use adsorptive filter materials to absorb and retain contaminants present in indoor spaces. In connection with this object, it is a further object of the invention to use the recently developed concept in which plant roots and microorganisms living in the environment of plant roots serve to convert harmful contaminants into harmless nutrients for the plants, as can be understood by a biomechanical engineer or biologist.

It is a further object of the invention to return the filtered air in a clean form to the room after the removal of odors, harmful chemicals and other airborne contaminants by the filter media and plant roots.

It is a further object of the invention to use the plant roots and microorganisms to absorb the absorbed air pollutants from the filter media and thereby constantly clean the filter media. In connection with this object, it is desirable to create a device in which a plant can grow in a hydroponic culture, i.e. in which no soil or similar substance is required for the plant to grow and in which a filter medium is provided in the vicinity of the root system.

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The previously known devices have not achieved this goal or have only achieved it incompletely when using the principle of bio-regeneration. It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the previous devices for using this principle. It is also another object of the invention to improve the previous bio-regenerative systems by creating a device in which all activities on the motor housing below can be carried out from above. It is also an object of the invention to create an improved plant container that is not firmly connected to the base part and that can be easily removed from it or rotated on it.

It is a further object related to the invention to provide the option of using a fiber filter, alone or in addition to an air grille, to filter out larger particles and wherein this optional fiber filter can be easily replaced without affecting the primary filter media or disrupting its effect.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a safety grille in conjunction with an air disk above the base assembly to prevent a person's hands or fingers from coming into contact with the fan blades and also to prevent debris or other undesirable particles from entering the motor housing.

The invention can be summarized as providing a filter arrangement using the principles of bio-regeneration with a living plant and a filter medium, whereby the filter medium does not need to be replaced and the airborne contaminants are captured by the medium, whereupon the microorganisms living in the vicinity of the root system of the associated plant or plants are introduced into the filter medium

migrate to decompose the contaminants and enable their uptake by the root system. In particular, one of the devices described uses this known principle by using a pot which has an air supply system or air exhaust system which is sealed from the plant area and which has a downwardly open hub-like distributor piece or an air chamber for cooperation with a closed motor and housing.

The pot is separable from the motor and housing so that it can be moved or its position in relation to the motor and housing can be changed without the need to separate or loosen mechanical connections.

In a first embodiment of the invention, an air disk is sealingly arranged centrally on the ceiling of the engine housing to allow the passage of air to or from the central hub-like distributor piece or the air chamber.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the air inlets of the pot are individually open and they are in communication with a pan-like air chamber arranged in a substantially hermetically sealed manner below the pot and through which a central open passageway runs which opens into a lower motor housing, above which an air grille cap and grille is arranged for safety purposes to prevent objects or waste from entering the fan chamber and to protect fingers from coming into contact with any moving parts.

In both the first and second disclosed embodiments of the invention, the air inlet tubes are formed integrally with the pot and open upwards into the filter medium and into the zone of the plant root system.

In both embodiments, the upper ends of the inlet tubes can be covered by an air inlet ring to prevent water, dirt, waste or filter media from entering the tube. Alternatively, instead of the air inlet ring, air inlet caps can be used for individual attachment to each air inlet tube.

In both disclosed embodiments of the invention, hydroponically grown plants can be used. For this purpose, a hydroponic vessel can be inserted between air inlet tubes to carry out this type of plant culture. A fiber filter can optionally be provided, which is arranged around the passageway from the air chamber to the motor in order to enable additional filtration.

In all embodiments of the invention, reversible air flow may be provided and accordingly the air may be directed downwards through the filter medium and plant system to be discharged through openings in the base or alternatively a reversal of the direction of the fan may be provided whereby air is directed upwards through openings in the motor housing, through the air inlet tubes and into the filter medium. In all embodiments, the air to be filtered passes through the filter medium to filter out the contaminants.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the

Bio-Regenerative Air Filter and shows a plant growing in a pot held over a motor and fan housing within a base;

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Fig. 2 is a perspective view as in Fig. 1, but with the outer wall of the pot broken away to show the internal mechanical structure of a first embodiment of the invention;
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Fig. 3 is a central cross-sectional view of the device shown in Fig.

1 and shows the arrangement of the

Pot with air inlet pipes leading to a

central hub-shaped air chamber and then to the motor and fan housing in the

base below;

Fig. 4 is a section like Fig. 3, but exploded to show the individual components;

Fig. 5 is a section like Fig. 3, but showing the second embodiment of the invention in which a pan-like air chamber is used between the pot and the motor housing;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the embodiment according to Fig. 5, similar to Fig. 4 and

Fig. 7 is a section through the second embodiment,

as in Fig. 5, which shows the optional use of a hydroculture container in the upper pot and the application of an optional fiber filter within the pan-like air chamber.
30

Reference is made below to Figs. 1 to 7, in which like parts are provided with like reference numerals throughout. The figures show a preferred embodiment with alternative details and embodiments thereof. However, they are not intended to limit the invention with respect to the specific representations of these figures.

Figure 1 shows the external bowl-like configuration of a Bio-Regenerative Air Filter 10. The illustration of the air filter 10 in Figure 1 is the fully assembled version as used to control indoor air pollution. Generally speaking, the invention includes an upper pot 11 and a lower base 12 in and around the lower part of which are arranged openings or louvers for the passage of air. The upper pot 11 contains a filter medium 14 in which a plant 15 grows.

As will be explained in more detail below, the base part 12 contains a motor and housing for a fan which either draws air downward through the filter medium 14 to exit through the openings 13 or in the opposite direction through the openings 13 and upward through the device and the filter medium 14 to exit in filtered form into the atmosphere, which latter is the case in both cases.

The concept of using microorganisms surrounding the root system of a plant growing in the medium has been studied by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and uses well-known biological principles. The organisms living around the plant roots break down contaminants and pollutants taken up by the filter media so that the plant can consume the contaminants as plant food and in the process "eat" this material from the filter media and thus clean the filter media. This is called bio-regeneration. Important to the invention is that this process can eliminate the need to replace filters. Therefore, the air filter 10 is a very cost-effective filter system.

Recommended filter media include activated carbon, zeolite and expanded clay in combination with certain types of living

Plants. Preferred species of plants for use in the invention include:

(a) for low-light areas, low-light plants such as Aglaonema (Chinese periwinkle, golden periwinkle, silver king periwinkle), Sansevieria (mother-in-law's tongue, bowstring hemp), Scindapsus (pathos) (golden pathos, satin pathos, marble queen, ivy bag), Syngonium (arrowhead plant), and Philodendron (heartleaf and red princess);

(b) for low to medium light areas, Aspidistra (cast iron plant), Prepomia (curled emerald), Hedera Helix (English ivory), Spathiphyllum (peace lily); and

(c) for medium light, Chamaedorea (bamboo palm) and Schefflera (mini Schefflera).

Other similar plants and root systems can also be used.

The pot 11 and the base 12 are preferably made of a molded, high impact and durable plastic known for use with potted plants, such as polypropylene or ABS, as is known in the art.

The invention enables the removal of potentially hazardous chemicals in the air systems of buildings and residential areas, thereby reducing the health risk to humans by lowering the level of these harmful chemicals present. The device 10 also significantly reduces cigarette smoke, pollen and undesirable odors including pet odors, cooking odors, ammonia odors and the like. Chemicals that continue to be released from the circulating

Air includes formaldehyde, triclorethane, benzene, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals.

As will be explained below, the pot 11 and the base 12 are completely separable from each other, making it possible to insert a new plant into the pot 11 or to carry the pot 11 outside for repotting or even to replace it with a similar pot 11 for placement over the base 12. This will also be of great use if any electrical or motor components within the base 12 need to be repaired, as the pot 11 need not be emptied or altered, but simply lifted off the base 12.

The external shape of the pot 11 and the foot part 12 can be substantially constant to accommodate the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 to 7 and for a wide range of equivalents falling within the scope of the invention. Changes in the height of the pot 11 and the foot part 12 are made in two disclosed embodiments, which of course changes the dividing line in Fig. 1.

Reference is now made to Figures 2 to 4, in which a first embodiment of the invention is shown in further detail. The pot 11 is designed to have four air inlet pipes 16 arranged therein, which are molded onto the base plate 17 of the pot 11 to prevent water from entering the foot part 12. The air inlet pipes 16 are essentially L-shaped and contain shorter radial parts or channels 18 which are connected to a hub-like central distributor or air chamber 19. The height of the central distributor 19 in this embodiment is about 5 cm and defines an approximately 5 cm high reservoir for the preferred water level. This

The independent reservoir area is generally shown with lines and arrows, designated 21 in Fig. 3.

A valuable function of the independent reservoir portion 21 allows the pot 11 to be rotated with respect to the base 12 so that even plant growth can be achieved, as is often required when a plant leans significantly toward the light source. As stated above, the independent reservoir portion 21 allows the pot 11 to be lifted from the base 12 and used as a typical plant pot that can be carried outside. The invention allows the plant to be cared for without having to carry electrical components outside or relocate with the pot 11. Similarly, if any malfunctions or problems occur with the motor or electrical system within the base 12 (which will be described below), the base 12 can be sent to the manufacturer for repair while the plant can continue to grow in the pot 11.

Both the embodiment of the filter 10 in Figs. 2 to 4, and the alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, allow the use of a hydroponically grown plant which can be inserted into the air filter 10 in its hydroponic container without having to make any modifications to the pot 11 or the air inlet tubes 16. This is described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 7.

Resting on top of the air inlet tubes 16 is an air inlet ring 22, shown in cross section in Fig. 3. The air inlet ring 22 is sized relative to the air inlet tubes 16 to maximize air flow. The air inlet ring 22 is attached to the air inlet tubes and rises above the air inlet tubes 16 to allow maximum air flow. The ring 22 is disposed within the filter medium 14 and below its surface thereby enabling

is that air is drawn 360° around the ring from the filter medium 14 in the pot 11, thereby achieving effective filtration and maximum use of the filter medium 14 by the all-round air flow. In addition, the air inlet ring 22 allows the plant 15 to be watered without dirt or water entering the air inlet tubes 16, thus preventing particles or moisture from entering the base 12 and reaching the motor and the base unit.

Alternatively, instead of the annular configuration, a cap may be provided for each of the air inlet tubes 16, similar to the arrangement of a wind cap over a chimney and which in section would result in the sectional view shown in Fig. 3. Of course, the cap would be open at the sides to allow air flow into the air inlet tubes 16.

In the preferred embodiment, the filter medium 14 consists of activated carbon and zeolite in the majority of the upper half of the pot 11, designated by the reference numeral 23. This area is indicated by upward arrows. The lower half of the pot 11 contains expanded clay and is designated by the reference numeral 24. The activated carbon serves to absorb odors, contaminants and chemicals from the air to purify it. The zeolite in the filter medium 23 serves to absorb odors and other contaminants that activated carbon is not as effective at removing.

The expanded clay 24 serves to filter out large particles and dust as well as to absorb and retain moisture required for the growth of the plant 15. The filtering center portion of the clay, shown at 24, continues to act as a wick and draws moisture from the water reservoir zone 21 upwards to the plant roots 20. It can also be seen that the zone 21 extends radially between

the air inlet tubes 16 and the side of the pot 11. The reservoir zone 21 may also contain a portion of the clay 24 along the side of the pot 11, as shown in Fig. 2.
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A tubular water level indicator 25 is provided to indicate the water level in the pot 11. The lower end of the water level indicator 25 extends between the air inlet ring 22 and the side wall of the pot 11 and rests on the bottom plate 17 of the pot 11. The water level indicator 25 has a transparent top cap 26. Within the tubular water level indicator 25 there may be an indicator float which may have a colored top which can be seen through the transparent cap 26 as it moves up and down according to the change in the water level in the pot 11. The perceptible height of the indicator within the cap 26 allows one to visually see when water needs to be refilled and when the correct amount has been reached. The lower end of the tubular water level indicator has narrow openings 27 to prevent debris and particles from entering and clogging the tube.

The pot 11 interacts with the base part 12 by means of an air disk 28. The air disk 28 is a flat, disk-shaped component which is arranged above the base part 12. The disk 28 has a central opening 29 through which air can be sucked or pushed and the opening is designed to allow maximum air flow through the central air chamber 19. The air disk 28 is arranged below the base plate 17 of the pot 11, as shown in Fig. 2.

The central air chamber 19 and the air disk 28 are matingly arranged by an air grille cap 30 and an air grille 31, the latter being sandwiched between the air grille cap 30 and the air disk 28 above the opening 29

The air grille cap 30 and air grille 31 serve to prevent debris and particles from being drawn into the footboard and to prevent a person's fingers from penetrating the footboard where the motor and fan are located as explained later. The air grille cap 30 mates with the central air chamber 19. The air grille 31 is located over the opening 29 on the air disc 28 and is securely fastened by heat-locked pins 32 which project upward from the air disc 28 through the air grille 31 and into the air grille cap 30 for a tight fit. Resilient snap-in pins may also be used. When assembled, the central air chamber or manifold 19 rests on the air cleaner cap 30 allowing air to pass therethrough. A plurality of boss-shaped projections 33 having bores therethrough extend upwardly from the air disk 28 for mechanical attachment to the base 12, such as by means of fastening screws 34, as will be explained.

The base part 12 contains a fan chamber 35 and a base plate 36 on which upstanding lugs 36' are arranged in a number corresponding to the number of hub-shaped lugs 33 and which serve to receive the fastening screws 34. A motor 37 and housing 38 are arranged in the fan chamber 35 and contain a plurality of sleeves 39 with holes extending therethrough, or spacer sleeves, which are brought into aligned positions with the lugs 33 and 36' and allow the fastening screws 34 to firmly connect the air disk 28 to the base part 12, as can best be seen in Fig. 3.

The motor 37 is a single or multi-speed motor on whose shaft a squirrel cage fan 40 is arranged within the housing 38 so as to be located in a straight line below the opening 29 of the air disk 28. The direction of rotation of the motor can be reversible.

When the air disc 28 is attached to the foot part 13,

. the fan 40 will, depending on its direction of rotation, push or suck air through the opening 29. This causes a flow of air through the openings or louvers 13 and the air inlet pipes 16. The central air chamber 19 is hermetically mounted over the air grille cap 30 to prevent leakage, so that an effective flow of air is achieved from the pipes 16 down through the louvers 13, or vice versa, through the motor and the associated fan 40.

The motor 37 is operated by means of a conventional electrical connection cord with switch, which may contain a rocker switch and a variable resistor to allow variable voltages or an on/off switch depending on the type and design of the motor.

Optionally, the filter 10 may be provided with a built-in cross switch, which may also be housed with the motor 37 and the fan chamber 35, to switch the system on or off at predetermined times. In this regard, a photoelectric cell may also be installed to switch the motor depending on the light. The filter 10 may also be provided with rollers or castors on its underside to enable it to be moved around a room. Another option within the scope of the invention is to provide a solar cell to power a DC motor instead of the AC motor 37.

It will also be appreciated that the arrangement of the base 12 relative to the upper pot 11 allows all the connections to be made from above by inserting the fastening screws 34 through the hub-shaped lugs 33, the sleeves 39 and the lugs 36' as shown in the two positions in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2. This also allows the upper pot 11 to be removed from the base 12 for easy access "from above" to the motor 37.

and the housing 38 if electrical repairs should be necessary.

Reference is now made to Figs. 5 and 6, in which an alternative embodiment of the air filter according to the invention is shown.

Figures 5 and 6 show the alternative preferred embodiment of the invention including an air filter device 100. The air filter 100 uses the same bio-regeneration principle as the air filter 10, but it provides a structure that has a separate air chamber that is not molded directly onto the pot.

More specifically, the air cleaner 100 includes a pot 111, a base 112 with openings or slots 130 at its bottom to allow air to pass through. The pot 111 includes a filter medium 114, which will be described below. A plant 115 grows in the pot 111. It can be seen that the pot 111 is shorter than the pot 11 of the first embodiment and wherein air inlet tubes 116 are shorter than the air inlet tubes 16, thereby reducing the height of the pot. The air inlet tubes 116 are molded into the bottom of the pot to prevent water from entering the base 112. As with the air cleaner 10, it is also possible for the air cleaner 100 to separate the base and the pot and move them relative to each other. The air intake tubes 116 are integrally formed with a bottom wall 117 which is a substantially flat surface except for the openings of the air intake tubes 116. Accordingly, there are no L-shaped lower channels corresponding to 18 nor a central hub-shaped air chamber or manifold 19 as shown in the air cleaner 10. Rather, there are lower open ends 118 of the air intake tubes 116 which open into an air pan 119 which acts as an air chamber between the air intake tubes 116 and the base 112, similar to the air chamber 19. In

■ ··· « ■ · « ϕ ϕ ϕ

In this abbreviated embodiment of the pot 111, there is no reservoir zone corresponding to zone 21 in the air cleaner 10, although water may be held in the pot 111. Rather, the head portions of the air inlet tubes 116 are similarly immersed in the filter media 114 and, in the preferred embodiment, include an air inlet ring 122 that is substantially identical to the air inlet ring 22 of the air cleaner 10. Similarly, individual caps may be provided for each of the four air inlet tubes 116 in place of the air inlet ring 122. The air inlet ring 122 or individual caps prevent water or debris from entering the air inlet tubes 116 and allow a full 360° air flow path for the air being pushed or drawn through the filter media 114.

In one embodiment of the invention, the filter media 114 may contain the same components as the filter media 14, whereby the filter media 123 contains activated carbon for adsorbing odors, contaminants and chemicals for air purification and ziolite for adsorbing odors and other contaminants that are less effectively removed by activated carbon. The lower portion of the filter media 114 contains a zone of expanded clay 124. In this embodiment of the invention, the entire filter media 114 may contain the activated carbon and ziolite media 123 when hydroponically growing plants are used and a water level not sufficient to be maintained in the clay zone. Accordingly, the root system 120 of the plant 115 may be located in a separate hydroculture pot instead of being in the filter media 123, as will be explained in connection with Figure 7.

Although the pot 111 is smaller than the pot 11, a water content can be maintained in the clay zone 124 to enable the growth of a plant in the pot 111, similar to that in the pot 11. Therefore, a tubular water level indicator

125, similar to the tubular water level indicator 25 and includes a transparent indicator cap 126 for viewing a water level indicator 125 within the tube and narrow openings 127 at the lower end to prevent particles and debris from entering the tube 127 and clogging it.

Turning now to the means for connecting the air flow between the pot 111 and the cup part 112, it will be noted that the air pan 119 combines the functions of the air disk 28 and the central air chamber 19 of the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4. The air pan 119 is essentially in the shape of a cake pan and includes a bottom wall 128 which is designed to rest within the foot part 112, not on top of it like the air disk 28. The foot part 112 is therefore larger than the foot part 12 of the first embodiment so as to accommodate the height of the air pan 119, as shown in Fig. 5. Similarly, the base plate 128 includes a central air passage opening 129 for communication between the air pan 119 and the base 112. An air grille cap 130 is mounted to the base plate 128 with a grille 131 covering the opening 129 by means of heat sealed pins 132 extending upwardly from the base plate 120 through the grille 131 into the cap 130. Pins provided with resilient snap-in connections may also be used. As best seen in Fig. 6, the air pan has an upper peripheral edge 119 which is tightly but separably disposed below the periphery of the base plate 117, thereby achieving a relatively airtight assembly of the pan 111 on the air pan 113 and the base 112.

The base part 112 corresponds essentially to the base part 12 in the first embodiment, but with the exception of its height, as explained.

The bottom wall 128 of the plenum 119 includes bore-drilled downward inserts 133 for receiving fasteners 134 extending therethrough, preferably threaded. The base 112 includes a fan chamber 135 and a fixed base plate 136 which substantially corresponds to the base plate 36 of the base 12. Similarly, upwardly directed lugs 136' are provided which are aligned with the lugs 133 for receiving the fastening screws 134, as will be further explained.

The base 112 contains a motor 137 and an associated fan or ventilator housing 138 provided with drilled sleeves or lugs 139 for receiving fastening screws 134 extending from lugs 33 through upstanding lugs 136' for fastening the air pan 119 to the base 112. The housing 138 contains a squirrel cage type fan 140 mounted on the shaft of the motor 137 and thereby in air flow communication through the opening 129 of the base plate 128. As with the motor 37 of the embodiment of the air cleaner 10, the motor 137 can be operated either to draw air downward from the air inlet tubes 116 through the opening 129 and out through the openings or slots 113 or, alternatively, to draw air inward through the openings or slots 113 and downward through the opening 119 into the air inlet tubes 116 and then outward therefrom into the air filter medium 123. In either direction of air flow, the air to be filtered will flow through the filter medium 114.

Since the air filter 100 can have a shorter pot and a larger foot part than is the case with the air filter 10, it is however possible to produce these parts (111, 112) on a forming machine of the same size. The air filter 100 therefore does not have a pot height at which a zone corresponding to the zone 21 of the air filter 10 is provided.

however, water can be maintained in the pot. For use with hydroponically growing plants, the expanded clay zone 124 can be omitted and the entire pot 111 can be filled with the filter medium 123. For manufacture and shipping in ready-to-use form, omitting the expanded clay 124 results in a reduction in weight and shipping costs.

By replacing the air disc 28 with the air pan 119

The air filter 100 causes an air flow from the

Inlet pipes 116 from the pot 111 directly into the

air pan 119 and then through the central opening in the base plate 128.

In Fig. 7, alternative preferred modifications of the filter device according to the present invention are shown. The air filter 100 contains a hydroponic vessel 141 so that the plant 115 does not have to be removed from the vessel 141 for its insertion into the pot 111, so that it can be grown separately in the hydroponic vessel 141. The hydroponic vessel 141 is sized to fit between the four inlet tubes 116 in the pot 111. Of course, the root system 120 is in conjunction with the filter medium 123 to effect the bio-regenerative effect used in the invention.

Furthermore, an additional fiber filter 142 may be arranged in place of the grille 131 or in addition thereto over and above the central opening 129 for filtering large particles and as a safety barrier for the fan 140. This filter 142 can be removed, replaced or cleaned simply by lifting the pot 111 off the air pan 119.

It can therefore be seen that the pot 111 and the air pan 119 are separable and movable relative to each other. The pot 111 rests on top of the air pan 119 and the foot part 112

and can be rotated relative thereto to change the position of the plant or to remove the pot 11 completely. This allows the plant to be carried outside into the sunlight and also allows for repair or replacement of electrical equipment within the base 112 from above.

The fiber filter 142 can also be arranged within the hub-shaped air chambers 19 above the air grille flap 30 in the air filter 10. The pot 11 of the air filter 10 would be lifted upwards for replacement or cleaning of the filter 122. Again, the fiber filter 120 can be used as a replacement or in addition to the grille 31. In both embodiments of the pot 11 and 111, the connection to the corresponding foot parts 12 or 112 can be carried out as a bayonet connection or simply by the weight of the pot and its contents.

In the preferred embodiment, the motors 37 and 137 are protected against overheating and are designed to produce an air flow of about 1,400 to 1,700 l/min at maximum speed and an air flow of about 700 to 850 l/min at normal speed.

The openings or slots 13 and 113 in the bases 12 and 112 have as much or more cross-sectional opening area as the openings 29 or 129 in the air disk 28 or the air pan 119. The air disk 28 and the air pan 119 have correctly sized central openings to provide the same cross-sectional area for free air flow as that available through the four air inlet tubes 16 and 116, respectively. In this respect, the air rings 22 and 122 maximize air flow by being sized to have the same cross-sectional area as the air inlet tubes 16 and 116, respectively.

As a result, the invention enables an improved arrangement for effectively using the bio-regenerative principle for retaining contaminants in a filter medium, whereby the microorganisms associated with the root system of plants serve to decompose the contaminants and consume them as food.

While the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is broader and numerous equivalents are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (33)

Protection claims 1. Bio-regenerative air filter device containing: a pot for growing a plant, means for receiving filter media, the pot being integrally formed with at least one upwardly directed air inlet tube having an upper opening and a lower opening communicating with the exterior of the pot; means for forming an opening for the passage of air into and out of the pot and means for arranging it on a foot part; a base having a chamber disposed therein, the chamber including a motor and fan mounted therein, the fan communicating with the means for forming an aperture to cause air flow therethrough, the base including means for forming apertures therethrough to allow air flow into or out of the chamber, the base including a base plate and mounting means by which the means for forming the aperture are formed on the base independent of and remote from the base plate; the pot is relatively movable to and separable from the base part and the means for forming the opening and the pot is designed to sit on the base part in a substantially airtight manner whereby a flow of air can occur between the at least one air inlet pipe and the means for forming openings in either an inward or outward direction and wherein at least one air inlet pipe has an upper opening ending in the interior of the pot and a filter medium is arranged therein, which extends to a height above the opening of the at least one air inlet pipe. 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the root system of a plant is in communication with the filter medium. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pot includes a central integrally formed air chamber communicating with the lower end of the at least one air inlet tube. 4. A device according to claim 3, in which the air chamber is downwardly opened to communicate with means for forming an opening thereby allowing the flow of air therebetween. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a grille and a grille cap securing the grille over the means for forming an opening and having an opening therethrough for permitting air flow from the air inlet tubes to the chamber of the foot portion. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pot further includes a water level indicator. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the water level indicator comprises an elongated tube directed upwards and extending outside the pot. 8. Device according to claim 1, in which the filter medium contains at least one of the substances activated carbon, zeolite or expanded clay. 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one air inlet tube has means for covering the upper end thereof to prevent the entry of moisture or solid particles.
5 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pot has a lower portion for receiving a volume of water. 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for forming an opening located in a bottom plate of an air pan which can be positioned within the foot part and below the pot, the lower open end of at least one air inlet tube being in air flow communication therebetween and the air pan forming an air chamber for the passage of air between the chamber of the foot part and the pot, the air pan being connected to the foot part by fastening means, the pot removably resting on the foot part and the air pan. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the pot contains a vessel for the plant and whose plant root system is in communication with the filter medium and the vessel is removable. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the separable vessel is a water culture vessel for hydroponically growing a plant. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fiber filter disposed on the means for forming the opening for filtering air passing between the chamber of the base and at least one air inlet tube of the pot. 15. Device according to claim 1, in which several air inlet pipes are arranged instead of at least one air inlet pipe. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of air inlet tubes communicate at their upper ends with a circular air inlet ring extending 360° on the interior of the pot, whereby the air flow is drawn or directed 360° within the filter medium. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor and fan include an electric motor and a squirrel cage fan driven by the motor. 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the pot is integrally molded from plastic. 19. Bio-regenerative air filter containing:
20 a pot having means for receiving filter media and formed with a plurality of air inlet tubes, the air inlet tubes having upper and lower open ends, the upper open ends extending into the means for receiving filter media and the lower ends communicating with a central air chamber, the central air chamber being integrally formed with the pot and having an opening extending outwardly from the pot for the passage of air, and the central air chamber and air inlet tubes being formed watertight in relation to the means for receiving filter media and means for covering the upper open ends of the air inlet tubes, thereby allowing air flow and preventing the ingress of water and particles therein; a base containing a chamber, a motor and fan assembly within the chamber, the fan being driven by the motor, a covering air plate having an opening for connection to the central air chamber of the pot, means for mechanically connecting the air plate, the motor and fan assembly and the base; the base further comprising a grille and a securing cap, the securing cap securing the grille over the opening and to the air flap, the pot being designed to rest on the base and allow air to pass between the central air chamber through the opening of the air disc into the air chamber of the base, the base further comprising means for forming openings for air to pass into and from the chamber, the base comprising a base plate and the means for mechanically securing the air plate being independent of the base plate. 20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the pot further contains a living plant which grows therein and whose root system is in communication with the means for receiving the filter media. 21. The device of claim 19, wherein the pot contains at least one filter medium for receiving filter media. 22. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which the pot includes a tubular water level indicator for indicating the water level in the pot. 23. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which a bottom portion of the pot extending around the central air chamber forms a water reservoir. 24. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means for covering the upper ends of the air inlet tubes includes an air inlet ring which is circular in shape. 25. Device according to claim 19, in which the device for receiving the filter media contains at least one of the filter media activated carbon, zeolite or expanded clay. 26. Apparatus according to claim 25, in which the filter media is of the type which does not need to be replaced or cleaned when used in conjunction with a living plant therein and in which the filter media is adapted to absorb contaminants from the atmosphere and the microorganisms of the plant roots break down the contaminant to produce nutrients for the plant. 27. Device according to claim 19, in which the pot is rotatable and completely separable from the base part independently of the means for mechanical fastening and the pot rests on the base part substantially airtight around the opening of the disc. 28. Bio-regenerative air filter device with a pot and a separable foot part in which the pot has devices for receiving Contains filter media, the pot is integrally formed with a plurality of air inlet tubes the upper ends have the means for holding the filter media and lower open ends, whereby the pot has a base plate and the lower ends of the air intake pipes through the Base plate and the pot is suitable for Absorption of water for a plant and surrounding the air inlet pipes is waterproof and a base part containing a fan, an air pan, a lower part which forms a chamber for the fan and an upper part for receiving the air pan, the base part being designed to receive the pot in it and above the air pan, the air pan and the pot being suitable for forming an air chamber for the passage of air from the air inlet pipes and the air pan containing a base plate which has an opening which is in communication with the chamber for the fan, mechanical fastening means being provided which extend from the air pan for connection to fastening means which are formed in the base part, the base part containing a base plate and the fastening means extending from the base plate and air openings which open into the fan chamber thereby enabling air to pass between the air openings and the air inlet pipes and the air pan further having means for receiving a grid filter arrangement at this opening, the base plate of the pot being spaced from the base plate of the air pan by a distance to Formation of an air chamber when the pot rests on the base. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the plurality of air inlet tubes include means for covering their upper ends to prevent ingress of moisture and debris. 30. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the pot further includes a tubular water level indicator for indicating the water level within the pot. 31. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the pot further includes means for receiving a separable vessel for receiving a plant and root system therein. 29 32. Device according to claim 28, in which the filter medium contains at least one of the substances activated carbon, zeolite or expanded clay. 5 33. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein a grid and a grid cap are disposed over the opening of the bottom plate of the air pan and the grid extends over the opening.